Technology

Construction Technology and Software Rundown: June 4, 2021

Here's a rundown of the latest in construction technology and software.
By Marla McIntyre
June 2, 2021
Topics
Technology

Products

Kenzen is offering rental packages of its wearable worker monitors to protect workers from summer heat. Packages can be rented in two month increments and include access to training videos and a snapshot of workers’ risk level and alerts after the rental period to enhance heat intervention techniques.

Triax Technologies' IoT solution, Spot-r Radiuswearable technology provides key worker-to-worker, worker-to-location and worker-to-equipment-based intelligence with real-time safety alerts that proactively notify workers before entering hazardous areas or no-go zones. Spot-r Radius automates headcount and hours for daily reporting and labor billing verification; tracks equipment utilization; identifies bottlenecks causing inefficiencies on site; and supports social distancing and digital contact tracing. Analytics reports are automatically uploaded to the cloud.

Software & In the Cloud

The newest version of HCSS Aerial, a drone-based data analytics platform for heavy civil construction, features design visualization enhancements; image duplication detection and validations; enforced checkpoint marking for accuracy reports; auto-georeferencing supporting real-time kinematic (RTK) Flights; and import and support of native design files for progress monitoring analytics and design overlay visualization.

InEight Control now includes a time-phased budget and forecasting feature that tracks and predicts costs using real-time data. Users get detailed analyses, such as comparing forecasted value, earned value and actual value to understand where to focus resources on project improvement efforts.

Corecon Technologies updated its TeamLink Portal for use with Corecon’s cloud-based construction estimating, project management and job cost software suite that connects internal and external project team members by providing secure, real-time access to project information. Enhancements include an allowance feature for client selections, ability to view Daily Logs with permission from the portal administrator, and ability for subcontractors to create pending subcontractor invoices.

Partnerships, Acquisitions & Integrations

StructShare purchasing and material management software now integrates with Procore construction management software. The integration streamlines and automates the material management cycle from field purchasing and automatically syncs POs, invoices and updates to Project Financials and budget in Procore.

airSlate’s electronic signature solution, signNow, integrates with Procore. With the eSignature integration, Procore customers can create and send documents for signing to multiple recipients, track their completion status and securely store executed documents without leaving the Procore platform.

Skyward, A Verizon company, now integrates with Pix4Dso users can turn drone data into 2D maps and 3D models. Enterprises and drone pilots can plan flights, receive approval to fly in controlled airspace with LAANC, fly with Skyward’s InFlight ground control station, and process data using Pix4D.

Video & Cool Stuff

Procore, a cloud-based construction management software provider, announced its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.

Avetta released research showing that commercial/residential construction, construction-infrastructure and construction materials industries users of Avetta Connect™ reduced safety incidents and lost workdays. Commercial/residential construction suppliers experienced 53% reduction in TRIR, 48% reduction in DART and a 57% reduction in LWCR. The construction-infrastructure suppliers experienced 50% reduction in TRIR, 46% reduction in DART and a 53% reduction in LWCR compared to industry averages. The construction materials experienced 40% reduction in TRIR, 36% reduction in DART and a 45% reduction in LWCR compared to industry averages.

The Biomimicry Institute, which helps startups develop sustainable solutions, announced the top 10 nature-inspired startups selected to participate in the 2021 Ray of Hope Prize®. They include four that may have an impact on the construction industry. Biohm, a bio-based building materials company makes insulation made from mycelium (the “root" structure of mushrooms) and a 100% natural sheet material called ORB (organic refuse bio-compound) made out of biowaste and a plant-based binder. Impossible Materials is creating a safer and better performing white pigment to replace titanium dioxide used in the white traffic stripes painted on roads. Researchers are trying to mimick the scales of the bright white Cyphochilus beetle, which acts as a highly optimized scattering structure. Mussel Polymers has developed a high-performance, non-toxic adhesive known as poly (catechol) styrene, or PCS, mimicking the adhesive proteins mussels use to adhere to surfaces in extreme marine environments. PCS is 300% stronger than other underwater adhesives, and bonds to a wide range of materials. Novobiom is tapping nature’s most powerful recyclers, fungi and microorganisms, for use in brownfields, Superfund sites and other contaminated industrial land. By selecting for naturally-occurring fungi that target specific contaminants such as oil or heavy metals, they perform mycoremediation on site, without having to haul away soil to a central treatment facility. This 10-week virtual accelerator culminates in a live pitch for a $100,000 grand prize.

Simscale’s White Paper, Simulating Outdoor Thermal Comfort: Performing External Comfort Calculation With Engineering Simulation on the Cloud, discusses how fast and accurate CFD simulation on the cloud can accelerate engineering and architectural designs through faster simulation and collaboration. The white paper describes how simulation on the cloud, using Graphic Processor Unit accelerated physics is a leap forward in evaluating outdoor comfort and heat island reduction strategies for architects and engineers.

by Marla McIntyre

Marla McIntyre is a digital editor of CE This Week and ConstructionExec.com. She edited Construction Executive’s Tech Trends and Risk Management eNewsletters and is the author of more than 200 articles and publications, including Construction Executive’s annual technology predictions, Technology & Software Rundown column and an award-winning series for the Risk Management Association. Her extensive construction and risk management background includes stints as executive director the Surety Information Office and American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington.



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